Sixers' defense improves in preseason win over Charlotte

PHILADELPHIA — If the 76ers are to be competitive this season, defense must be their calling card.

Their offensive shortcomings — lack of perimeter shooting or reliable inside scorers, as well as having so many young players — make solid defense imperative in Brett Brown's eyes.

"It has to be," Brown said. "We want to be great in transition defense. We weren't last year."

En route to a 19-63 record in 2013-14, the Sixers allowed a league-worst 109.9 points, were tied for 28th (of 30 teams) in opponents' field goal percentage at 47.1 and 25th in opponents' 3-point shooting (37.0).

Assuming he stays healthy, Nerlens Noel should block some shots and provide the Sixers with an interior presence, but on-the-ball defense, rebounding, lack of experience and other issues could make being a good defensive team a tall order.

As Brown said before Wednesday night's 106-92 preseason victory over the Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center, "We're guarding NBA players with people who haven't played in the NBA."

Brown didn't waste any time showing his displeasure for the Sixers' 'D' on Wednesday. After the Hornets' Lance Stephenson blew past Sixers starting small forward Luc Mbah a Moute for an uncontested layup, Brown called timeout even though it was only 48 seconds into the game.

"They dribbled the ball the length of the floor and laid it in," Brown said. "It's just part of coaching young guys. We wanted to make them accountable. We didn't do what we said and we reminded them of that."

The Sixers' defense was pretty good the rest of the way, limiting Charlotte to 36.8 percent shooting from the field (31.8 percent from 3-point range, 7-for-22).

"I thought it was really good," Brown said. "We've made a commitment and haven't wobbled on what the mission is for this year."

Noel, who had 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 31 minutes, said Brown "really cracked down" on the defense over the past two days.

"He really wanted us to comminicate better and get back on defense — no lagging," said Noel, who missed all four of his free throws.

Noel said he "felt more comfortable tonight."

"I'm still not where I want to be," he said. "I just have to continue working and progressing."

Brown said, "That's the Nerlens we've been seeing in practice. He wants to please and do the right thing."

It helped the Sixers' cause that they took care of the ball, as evidenced by their 28 assists and 11 turnovers.